Knives are an essential tool in every kitchen. A dull blade is not only efficient and irritating, but it can also pose potentials dangers. This is because a dull knife is more likely to slip while cutting, and as a result, the blade might cut your hands instead.
Therefore, you’ll need to find high-quality sharpening stones so that you can always keep your knives sharp and polished.
In case you don’t know which product to spend your hard-earned money on, then you can consult this review for the best sharpening stones to get in 2021.
How Many Types Of Sharpening Stones Are There?
First, you need to be informed of the various types of sharpening stones and their characteristic. This will definitely prove to be useful in your search for the best sharpening stone.
Oil Stones
These typically arrive in the form of coarse stone. As is suggested in the name, oil stones usually require honing oil. These are not the best option as they’re slow, and the oil used on the stone is likely to go rancid.
Diamond Stones
These are gaining more popularity nowadays due to their fast work.
Even though diamond stones are efficient, they tend to remove a lot of metal from your knives, and as a result, they might cause severe damage to your blade if you’re not careful or inexperienced.
Natural Stones
It’s hard to control the grit of natural stones as it tends to be quite random. However, natural stones can provide longer edge retention and better sharpening results.
Ceramic Stones
The quality of ceramic sharpening stones tend to vary quite significantly. Therefore, unless you’re buying it from a trustworthy source, you might want to avoid ceramic stone.
Synthetic Sharpening Stones
Requiring only a small amount of water for sharpening, synthetic sharpening stones are gaining ever-increasing popularity. They’re best for stainless steel western knives.
What Does Grit Mean In Sharpening Stones?
As you can probably guess, different sharpening stones come with different grits. With different grits, different sharpeners will be suitable for various jobs.
To help you determine which sharpening stone is suitable for your desired job, here’s a quick explanation for different grit options.
Coarse Stones With Grit Smaller Than #1000
Coarse stones with grits smaller than 1000 are best for damaged knives. Therefore, these stones will help you get rid of all the nicks and chips on your blades in record time.
Medium Stone With Grit From #1000-3000
If your blade has completely lost its edge, medium stone with a grit of #1000 is best for getting your blade’s sharpness back. However, using this stone can wear your knife down quite quickly.
Meanwhile, # 2000-3000 grit stones are more suitable for regular uses. They will be especially useful for people who like sharpening their knives on a daily basis as these stones are less coarse.
However, #2000-3000 grit stones are not best suited for maintaining your edge. One tip you need to keep in mind is that #3000 grit stone is most ideal for a boning knife.
Finishing Stones With Grits From #4000-8000
For #4000-5000 grit stones, they are most suitable for sharpening and superfine finishing your blades. As a result, you’ll be able to get a super-refined edge.
These stones can be used finishing stones, especially for Western knives with a U shaped edge.
If the knife you’re using is mainly for cutting meat, then the best option you can get is #4000-6000 grit stones.
However, if the knife you’re using is for fruits and vegetables, you can choose sharpening stones with a grit of up to #8000. Thanks to its exceptionally fine grit size, the #8000 grit stone is also suitable for bevels and back sides.
Sharpening Stone Comparison Table 2021
Below is a comparison chart where I list out the most noteworthy information of a product. This will help you quickly find the sharpening stone you need with virtually no trouble.
Which Are The Best Sharpening Stones To Buy?
Below are the most outstanding sharpening stones among my list of recommendations. However, this does not necessarily mean that the rest are of low quality, so be sure to check them out also.
- Best Overall – Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone
“Dual-sided sharpening stone, slip-free base, 20-degree angle guide included, features a wooden base.” - Best for Budget – Lansky Puck Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Sharpening Stone
“Pocket-sized sharpener, dual grit, suitable for all blades, portable, suitable for garden tools.” - Best for Chisels – Diamond Machine Technology Dia-Sharp Sharpening Stone
“Made in the US, double-side design, made from monocrystalline diamond, user-friendly.” - Best for Kitchen Knives – Chefic 2-in-1 Premium Waterstones Kit Sharpening Stone
“Silicone mat, 2 grit options, suitable for various kinds of knives, highly durable and sturdy.” - Best Set – Finew Professional Whetstone Set Of Sharpening Stone
“Up to 4 different grits, best for flat blades, leather strop included, a bamboo base and silicone base included, features angle guide.” - Best for Axe – Sharp Pebble Whetstone Large Sharpening Stone
“Dual grit design, no need for sharpening or honing oil, ergonomic design, lightweight and portable design.” - Best for Gardening Tools – Whetstone Cutlery Dual-Sided Knife Sharpening Stone
“Dual-sided design, 400-grit and 1000-grit, no sharpening oil needed, suitable for various types of blades and cutting tools.” - Best for Garden Shears – Corona Garden Tool Sharpening Stone
“Small and lightweight design, non-slip grip, 5” carbide file, suitable for straight blades.” - Best for Plane Blades – Masuta Natural Waterstone Sharpening Stone
“High-end sharpening stones, uniform consistency, made from natural Tsushima stones, no oil or pre-soaking required.” - Best for Straight Blades – KnifePlanet Set Of Knife Sharpening Stone
“Four different grits, bamboo stone holder, thick rubber bases, no need for lubricant, excellently packaged.” - Best for Hunting Knives – Outdoor Survival Sharpening Stone
“Double-sided design, lightweight, pocket-sized, suitable for camping and hunting trips.”
Top 15 Best Sharpening Stone Reviews in 2021
In order to help you determine which product is the most suitable for you, I’ve made sure to include all the essential information about each and every sharpening stone. Hopefully, it’ll help you find the best sharpening stones you need.
1. Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone
(Best Overall)
Restore your dull knife to its brand new state with this fantastic sharpening stone from Sharp Pebble. A product of superior quality, this sharpening stone can guarantee you a quick yet highly efficient performance.
Equipped with two different sides with different grits, this product from Sharp Pebble offers two sides, one with a grit of 1000 and the other with a grit of 6000. As a result, you’ll be able to get rid of the nicks and chips on the knife and sharpen it.
Furthermore, the Pebble sharpening stone boasts a silicone holder, a wooden base, as well as a non-slip rubber base. These features will ensure that the sharpening stone stay put when you’re working on your knife.
What’s more, this product comes with an angle guide that will help you maintain a 20-degree angle, which is the perfect angle for the majority of kitchen knives.
Key Features:
- Dual-sided sharpening stone
- No
- 20-degree angle guide included
Pros
- This sharpening stone is suitable for various types of knives and cutting tools, including scissors and axes
- The stone is made of high-quality materials; therefore, it’s highly durable and long-lasting
- The product is exceptionally user-friendly, meaning that even beginners can use this sharpening stone
- The sharpening stone comes with an eBook guide to help customers use the product in the most efficient way
- There’s no need to use sharpening oil with this product
Cons
- The adhesive between the two stones might not be too good
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 7.25 x 2.25 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 2.02 pounds |
| Material | Aluminum oxide material, silicone, wooden |
| Manufacturer | Sharp Pebble |
| Grit | 1000, 6000 |
If you want to learn how to sharpen knives with this stone and see how sharp your blades will be after the process, check out the following video:
2. Lansky Puck Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Sharpening Stone
(Best for Budget)
Even with a small amount of money, you’ll still be able to get a sharpening stone of top-notch quality. This is all thanks to this Lansky’s impressive sharpening stone, which is so efficient that you might never need another sharpener again.
Boasting a lightweight and compact design, the Lansky sharpening stone is not only useful in the kitchen, but also on outdoor trips as well. A testimony of this sharpener’s versatility would be how it’s suitable for all types of blades as well as axes.
Aside from regular kitchen knives, this sharpener is be suited for other garden tools such as shovels and spades. Offering two different grits of 120 and 280, this sharpener can restore the chip damage and renew the blade’s edge.
Even though this sharpener does not have a non-slip base, it has an easy-to-grip contoured shape, which will ensure that you can safely sharpen your blade.
Key Features:
- Pocket-sized
- Dual grit
- Suitable for all blades, except serrated ones
Pros
- This product is quite easy to use, even for people with no prior experience
- For what it has to offer, this sharpening stone is quite cheap
- The sharpener can sharpen the edge of fragile knives without destroying the blade
- The dual grits of the sharpener ensure that you can get a consistent result every time
Cons
- There have been a few complaints that the sharpener arrived broken
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 9.5 x 5 x 1.1 inches |
| Weight | 12.8 ounces |
| Material | Hard stone |
| Manufacturer | Lansky |
| Grit | Coarse grit: 120; Medium grit: 280 |
If you need a quick demonstration on how to to use this sharpener, why not have a look at this video:
3. Diamond Machine Technology Dia-Sharp Sharpening Stone
(Best for Chisels)
Why spending money buying a new set of chisels when you can sharpen them instead? Offering a sharpening stone of excellent quality, Diamond Machine Technology is definitely a name you can trust to restore your chisels’ sharpness.
Boasting a monocrystalline diamond surface, this dual-sided sharpener will let you work on your blades with ease. The coarse diamond on one side will restore the edge will the fine diamond on the other side will get your knife sharp again.
Furthermore, you will not need any water or sharpening oil when using this sharpener. Even better, even though this sharpening stone is best for carving chisels, it can still do wonders on kitchen knives and other types of blades.
Key Features:
- Made in the US
- Double-sided
- Made from monocrystalline diamond
Pros
- This sharpener is quite user-friendly as virtually anyone can use it
- The diamond has a perfectly flat surface that ensures the quality of the overall result
- The product is efficient enough that you can renew your blade with only a few slides
- Due to its material, the sharpener is quite long-lasting
Cons
- The sharpener might be prone to rust if exposed to water
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 6 x 2 x 0.25 inches |
| Weight | 8.8 ounces |
| Material | Monocrystalline diamond |
| Manufacturer | Diamond Machine |
| Grit | Fine and coarse |
4. Chefic 2-in-1 Premium Waterstones Kit Sharpening Stone
(Best for Kitchen Knives)
Knives are an essential tool in the kitchen, and as such, they should always be kept in top condition. With Chefic sharpening stones, you will be able to always keep your kitchen knives as sharp as new.
Made from a solid block of professional-grade corundum, this product is arguably one of the best sharpeners a chef can hope to come across. It’s perfectly suitable for virtually all types of kitchen knives.
What’s more, this sharpening stone offers 2 girt sides that promise the best results. With its 400 grit side, this stone boasts a decent metal removal rate. Meanwhile, the 1000 grit side will ensure that the blade stays razor-sharp.
Aside from kitchen knives, this sharpening stone is also ideal for pocket knives, sporting knives, straight razors, precision tools garden tools.
Key Features:
- Silicone mat
- 2 grit sides
- Suitable for various kinds of knives
Pros
- This product comes with a silicone mat, which will keep the sharpening stone in place
- Thanks to the quality of its material, this sharpening stone is highly sturdy and durable
- The sharpening stone’s large size means that you can sharpen even your biggest knives with comfort
- Despite its impressive performance and excellent quality, the product is relatively cheap
Cons
- This product is not suitable for ceramic knives
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 7.09 x 2.36 x 1.18 inches |
| Weight | 1.22 pounds |
| Material | Corundum |
| Manufacturer | Chefic |
| Grit | 400, 1000 |
5. Finew Professional Whetstone Set Of Sharpening Stone
(Best Set)
If you want the best for your knives, why not consider getting a full sharpening set that will always keep your blades as good as new? For a very reasonable price, you’ll get this impressive sharpening kit from Finew.
Featuring up to 4 different grits, this sharpening kit offers 400/1000 grit water stones so that you can sharpen your dull knives. Meanwhile, the 3000/8000 grit water stones are for refining the edge for a clean and polished blade.
Most suitable for the majority of the flat blades. This sharpening kit can restore even your expensive stainless steel kitchen knives and other types of cutting tools, such as X-acto blade, hunting knives, pocket knives, chisel, razor, sword, machete, etc.
Key Features:
- 4 different grits
- Best for flat blades
- Leather strop included
- Bamboo base and silicone base included
- Features angle guide
Pros
- The set only needs to be soaked in water for sharpening and does not require expensive sharpening oil
- Because there’s no need for sharpening oil, cleaning your blades after sharpening would be considerably more manageable
- Made from professional-grade Corundum, the sharpening stones provide more precise grit as well as better durability
- The set comes with a reinforced bamboo base and package, ensuring that it will not be damaged during transportation
- This set has been tested and inspected by third inspection company, thus, ensuring the best durability and functionality possible
Cons
- This set might not be ideal for inexperienced users
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 12.52 x 5.04 x 5.04 inches |
| Weight | 3.91 pounds |
| Material | Corundum |
| Manufacturer | Finew |
| Grit | 400, 1000, 3000, 8000 |
6. Sharp Pebble Whetstone Large Sharpening Stone
(Best for Axe)
It’s common knowledge that a dull blade is not only inefficient, but it’s highly dangerous as well. Because a dull ax cannot “cut” correctly, it might ricochet back, causing severe injuries. Therefore, keep your blade sharp with this sharpening stone.
A product of Sharp Pebble, this sharpener is specifically designed to restore the blade of standard axes. However, it’s also suitable for restoring shovels, machetes, lawnmower blades, hatchets, etc.
Made from premium-quality pure silicon carbide, this sharpening stone boasts a 40% larger surface so that you can yield a superb sharp blade with only minimal effort. Even better, this stone doesn’t call for the use of expensive honing oil.
With its coarse side (black), the 150 grit will help you sharpening the dull edges in record time. The 320 grit, in the meantime, is for restoring your damaged edges and improving the finish made by the coarse side.
Key Features:
- Dual grit design
- No need for sharpening or honing oil
- Ergonomic design
Pros
- This sharpening boats a lightweight design, thus, making it highly portable
- The large size of the sharpening stone will make it easier for you to sharpen large blades with even pressure
- Cleaning up your blade after sharpen it with this sharpening stone will be quite easy and effortless
- Thanks to its ergonomic design, this sharpening stone is quite easy to hold so that you can safely sharpen your blade
- The product is packaged carefully so that it will not be damaged during transportation
- This sharpening stone is suitable for both amateurs as well as experienced users
Cons
- You need to keep the sharpening stone dry after using it, or else, it will grow moldy
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 6.4 x 4.3 inches |
| Weight | 1.3 |
| Material | Silicone carbide |
| Manufacturer | Sharp Pebble |
| Grit | 150, 300 |
7. Whetstone Cutlery Dual-Sided Knife Sharpening Stone
(Best for Gardening Tools)
Keep your gardening tools in top condition with this fantastic dual-sided sharpening stone from Whetstone Cutlery. Boasting a dual-sided design, this sharpening stone will get your gardening tools back to its glory days with only a few simple strokes.
Made from high-quality silicon carbide, this sharpening block boasts a 400-grit on one side and a 1000-grit on the side. With these two options, you will be able to restore the blade’s sharpness and polish its cutting edge.
Furthermore, this sharpening stone is quite easy to use. All you need to do is soak the block in water for around 5 to 10 minutes before use. There’s no need for additional lubricants such as honing oil.
Key Features:
- Dual-sided design
- 400-grit and 1000-grit
- No sharpening oil needed
- Suitable for various types of blades and cutting tools
Pros
- The sharpening stone can sharpen your blades quickly without “eating” away too much of the blades’ metal
- The product is suitable for both beginners as well as professionals
- You can easily clean your blades after sharpening it with this product
- The sharpening stone is made in a large block so that it can stay put when you’re working on your blade
Cons
- This sharpening stone is a bit on the fragile side
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 7.01 x 2.24 x 1.14 inches |
| Weight | 1.35 pounds |
| Material | Silicone carbide |
| Manufacturer | Whetstone Cutlery |
| Grit | 400, 1000 |
8. Corona Garden Tool Sharpening Stone
(Best for Garden Shears)
Garden shears are a unique gardening tool as they require unique sharpening devices. With this special sharpening stone from Corona, you’ll be able to keep your garden shears sharp and functional for years to come.
Capable of sharpening virtually all straight blades, this sharpening stone is compatible with the majority of other gardening tools as well. The only exception to this would be saw blades, which have a serrated edge.
Boasting a compact and lightweight design, the Corona sharpening stone can easily fit in your pocket or bag so that you can always have a sharpening tool right at your disposal when you’re working on your beloved garden.
Furthermore, the Corona sharpening stone also has a rubber grip so that you can easily hold the product without slipping or dropping it.
Key Features:
- Small and lightweight design
- Non-slip grip
- 5’’ carbide file
Pros
- This product is highly versatile, being able to tackle a wide range of knives and blades
- Thanks to its ingenious designed carbide file and non-slip grip, this sharpener is suitable for even the most inexperienced users
- The carbide file is exceptionally durable, ensuring that you can use it for quite a long time
- For the quality and features it has to offer, this product is quite inexpensive compared to the majority of competing products
Cons
- This sharpening stone is not suitable for cuticle nippers
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 1 x 1 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 0.96 ounces |
| Material | Metal and rubber |
| Manufacturer | Corona |
To ensure that you use this sharpener properly, here is a demonstration video on how to use this tool:
9. Masuta Natural Waterstone Sharpening Stone
(Best for Plane Blades)
Arguably the best sharpening option you can have for your plane blade, this product from Masuta is a high-end Tsushima sharpening stone, which is accompanied by a matching Nagura stone.
Boasting a dense and sturdy texture, this ultra-fine sharpening stone offers a uniform consistency that will ensure your blade is evenly sharpened. As a result, your blade will enjoy a sharper edge and a longer lifespan.
Furthermore, this sharpener does not require honing oil or pre-soaking whatsoever. When using this sharpener, you only need to put this product on a wet paper towel, spray water onto the stones, and start working on your blades.
Key Features:
- High-end sharpening stone
- Uniform consistency
- Made from natural stones
- No oil or pre-soaking needed.
Pros
- The sharpening stone does not impose too much pressure on your blade, thus guaranteeing that it will not damage your edge in any way
- This product is exceptionally versatile; you can use it even on high-end chef knives
- The sharpening stone is packaged in a beautiful and exquisite box so that you can use it as a gift to your loved ones
- The product does not remove too much metal from your blade, ensuring that the sharpening will not sharply remove the blade’s lifespan
Cons
- The sharpening stone is a bit on the expensive side
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 11.3 x 4.2 x 2.2 inches |
| Weight | 3.74 pounds |
| Material | Natural stone |
| Manufacturer | Masuta |
| Grit | 12000 |
10. KnifePlanet Set Of Knife Sharpening Stone
(Best for Straight Blades)
An excellent choice for all of your straight blades, this sharpening stone from KnifePlant will make sure that your knives are always in their best shape. With this stone, you can say goodbye to dull knives right today.
This set of sharpening stones will provide you with 2 stones and 4 grits. Boasting a double-sided design, the stones will help you raise the burr and sharpen the edge of your blade. Moreover, it will ensure that your knife is properly polished and perfected.
What’s more, this sharpening kit also comes with two non-slip rubber bases as well as a bamboo stone holder so that the stones will stay put when you’re sharpening your knives. As a result, this set can minimize the likelihood of dangerous slips.
Made with alumina oxide, the KnifePlanet sharpening stones are shaped b 200 tons of pressure. T
Furthermore, the different grits on the sharpening stones are actually made from the same stone without any need for glue. Therefore, unlike cheaper options, these sharpening stones will not come apart even when they’re dropped.
Key Features:
- Four different grits
- Bamboo stone holder
- Thick rubber bases
Pros
- These products come with an exclusive tutorial so that you can sharpen your knives properly
- The sharpening stones do not require any lubricant, therefore, cleaning your stones and knives after sharpening will be relatively easy
- The kit is packaged in a beautiful box so that you can use it as a gift
- The stones are so easy to use that even beginners can sharpen their knives with this kit with next to no trouble
- The stones are not too hard that they will inadvertently damage your knives when sharpening them
Cons
- The surface of the stones might be a bit uneven
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 9.9 x 8.4 x 4 inches |
| Weight | 4.79 pounds |
| Material | Alumina Oxide |
| Manufacturer | KnifePlanet |
| Grit | 400, 1000, 3000, 8000 |
11. UST Outdoor Survival Sharpening Stone
(Best for Hunting Knives)
If you’re looking for a perfect sharpening stone for your hunting knife, you’ve come to the right place. With its lightweight and pocket-sized design, this sharpening stone is the perfect choice to bring with you on your hunting trips.
Despite its compact design, the sharpening stone still offers a double-sided design. The coarse side is for repairing chip and rust damage while the fine side of the stone will polish the blade’s edge for a factory sharp finish.
Key Features:
- Double-sided design
- Lightweight
- Pocket-sized
Pros
- The sharpening stone can sharpen even small knives with dedicated blades
- The product is quite cheaply priced
- This sharpener doesn’t remove too much metal from your blades, ensuring that your blade’s lifespan isn’t reduced
Cons
- Some people might find the sharpening stone a bit too small
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 4 x 1 x 0.2 inches |
| Weight | 0.8 ounces |
| Material | Hard stone |
| Manufacturer | UST |
| Grit | 120, 150 |
12. Cali Valley Premium Professional Knife Sharpening Stone
Another excellent choice of sharpening stone that you should definitely take into consideration, this product from Cali Valley will provide you with everything you ever need to keep your knives sharp and polished.
Aside from its impressive sharpening capacity, the Cali Valley sharpening set also comes with a silicone base so that the stones will stay put. As a result, you can safely sharpen your knife without worrying about hazardous slips.
Furthermore, this sharpening set also offers you an angle guide that will be especially helpful in keeping a steady sharpening angle during the process. If you’re not sure how to restore your blade, you can check out the exclusive eBook instruction.
The whetstone featured in the set will allow you to sharpen your knives in a shorter amount of time with better results. The 1000 grit side is to remove the nicks and chips while the finer 6000 grit will help you achieve a sharp edge.
Key Features:
- Two grit options
- Leather strop included
- Features angle guide
Pros
- This set is designed for beginners; therefore, it’s relatively user-friendly
- The sharpening kit offers a leather strop so that your knife can achieve optimal sharpness
- The kit also comes with a leveling stone that will restore the damaged surface of your sharpening stone
- Even though the set offers you many top-notch features, it’s still quite cheap
- The sharpening stone does not require the use of honing oil; therefore, you will not have to do much clean up after sharpening
- The sharpening stone is of decently large size so that you can sharpen your knife with minimal efforts
Cons
- There have been complaints that the 6000 grit is not very accurate
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 7 x 2.25 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 2.59 pounds |
| Material | Stone, rubber, leather, bamboo |
| Manufacturer | Cali Valley |
| Grit | 1000, 6000 |
13. Best Sharpening Stonekansas Wood Mounted Set Of Sharpening Stone
A quality sharpening set for anyone who wants to spend a little bit more for their blades, this kit from Best Sharpening Stone includes three stones – soft, hard, and black Arkansas stones.
Offering three different grits, this sharpening set will give you three sharpening options: coarse, fine, as well as extra-fine. With these, you will be able to restore your blade to the ultimate perfection.
Furthermore, unlike the majority of other stones with a wooden base, these Arkansas sharpening stones are permanently attached to a wooden base. Therefore, the stones will be more likely to stay in place during the sharpening process.
Key Features:
- Three different sharpening stones of different grits
- Permanently attached wooden base
- Best for surgeons scalpels, dental tools, and straight razors
Pros
- The stones are exceptionally sturdy, meaning that they are far more durable than the average sharpening stones
- Due to their excellent surface and texture, these stones are quite easy to clean
- Because they are made in large blocks with wooden bases, they are exceptionally user-friendly
- The stones do not “eat” too much metal from your blade, meaning that they will not damage even your delicate knives
Cons
- You need to use mineral or honing oil when sharpening with these stones
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 10.7 x 5.3 x 5.3 inches |
| Weight | 4.49 pounds |
| Material | Arkansas stone |
| Manufacturer | Best Sharpening Stone |
| Grit | Coarse, fine, and extra-fine |
14. Yoshihiro Professional-grade Toishi Japanese Sharpening Stone
One of the best Japanese sharpening stones, this product from Yoshihiro arrives in a 3-piece set. Made from ceramic whetstone, the Yoshihiro can provide customers with professional-grade sharpening quality.
Promising to deliver the best care and attention for your knives, this set offers three different grades of stones that can run the gamut from the coarse grit to a finer one.
To specify, the 1000 grit Arato stone is most suitable for repaired damaged and dull blades. Keep in mind that the Arato stone is abrasive enough that it can take off a lot of steel from your blade so that it can refashion your dull edge.
Meanwhile, the 3000 grit Nakato Shiage will help you create a razor-sharp edge. This one is best for routine sharpening as it’s designed to maintain the blade’s edge.
Lastly, the 6000 grit Shiage can guarantee to help you create a more honed and refined edge.
Key Features:
- Three different grits
- Best for Yoshihiro Cutlery
- 2.9 inches in width
- Made in Japan
Pros
- The stones are made from high-quality stones with decent height so that they can provide years of use.
- The sharpening set is suitable for expensive Japanese chef knives, including Gyuto, Nakiri, Santoku, Yanagi, Kiritsuke, etc.
- You can use this set for both single edge knives as well as double edge knives.
- The large width of the sharpening stones will ensure that you can accurately sharpen long blades.
- The sharpening stones boast decent weights with wooden bases so that they will be more stationary for easier sharpening.
Cons
- The sharpening set is a bit on the expensive side
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 12.5 x 10.5 x 8 inches |
| Weight | 9.98 pounds |
| Material | Ceramic whetstone |
| Manufacturer | Yoshihiro |
| Grit | 1000, 3000, 8000 |
15. KING KW65 100/6000 Grit Combination Sharpening Stone
Another fantastic choice for Japanese sharpening stones, this product from King will work with virtually all types of blades, including conventional kitchen knives, gouge, plane blade, scraper, chisels, etc.
Offering two different grit options, this sharpening stone provides 1000 and 6000 grits to ensure that your blade stays polished and razor-sharp. Despite being highly efficient, the King stone will not remove too much metal from your blades.
Furthermore, this sharpening stone doesn’t require any use of honing oil. When using the King sharpener, you only need to soak the stone in water for 10 minutes and make sure the stone is wet while in use.
Key Features:
- Two different grits
- Does not require sharpening oil
Pros
- The stone is designed to be large enough to sharpen your blade evenly with minimal efforts
- The sharpening stone comes with a thick plastic base that will ensure the product stays in place when you’re working on your blade
- The product is easy to use, even for inexperienced users
- The sharpening stone is reasonably priced despite its outstanding quality
Cons
- The sharpening stones come with Japanese instruction, which might be quite problematic for non-Japanese speakers
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 7.25 x 2.5 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 1 pound |
| Material | Whetstone, plastic base |
| Manufacturer | King |
| Grit | 1000, 6000 |
Buying Guide
It’s always helpful to read some tips and instructions on how to buy sharpening stones first before you get the product. Therefore, here are some aspects you need to keep in mind when doing so.
Size
First, you need to pay attention to the size of your sharpening stones. Larger ones will be able to last for a longer time while smaller ones are suitable for occasional uses only.
Furthermore, large sharpening stones are usually heavier, which means that they’re more stationary. Therefore, the stones will be less likely to slip during the sharpening process, ensuring that you’ll be safe when working with the sharpeners.
Another thing you can keep in mind is that large sharpening stones usually can deliver more uniform results. They can guarantee that you will get a sharp blade with little to no efforts.
Grit
Stone grits are another crucial aspect as well. As I’ve mentioned above at the beginning of this article, stones with different grits will be suitable for different jobs.
In case you want to know which grit is for which job, you can consult the section “What Does Grit Mean In Sharpening Stone?” at the beginning of my articles.
You also need to keep in mind that you will need at least two grits. To be specific, you should choose a coarse stone to remove the damage from your blade. This stone will ensure that you’ll be able to get your edge refined in no time.
Furthermore, you will also be in need of a finer stone, which is essential for establishing a finer edge for your knife. It can also improve the quality of the knife’s cut.
Ease Of Use
Because you might need to sharpen your blades frequently, you’ll need to choose sharpening stones that are easy to use. Therefore, if you’re inexperienced, you should steer clear from stones that require frequent cleaning or flattening.
FAQs
Even though I’ve included all the necessary information about sharpening stones, there are still some minor aspects that you might need to keep in mind about these products.
My Top Pick
In my humble and honest opinion, the best sharpening stone you can get for conventional and regular use would definitely be the Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone.
Reasonably priced, this sharpening stone boasts highly efficient performance. It offers two different grits, the minimal number of grit you need to keep your knife sharp. Furthermore, it’s has a non-slip base so that you can safely sharpen your knife.
What’s your favorite sharpening stone so far? Do you have any suggestions you’d like to recommend me? Is there anything you’d like to share with me and our fellow readers? Be sure to leave a comment.
